Tango

Come early or be prepared to stand. The narrow bar at this tapas restaurant on the downtown edge of Capitol Hill has too few seats to accommodate everyone who wants to eat and drink here between 5 and 7 p.m. every night but Saturday. But that's all right: Standing will put you in mind of a real Spanish tapas joint, where you can lounge against the bar and try a bit of everything. The room glows, with its high ceilings, hammered metal light fixtures, and ochre walls, and the plates are similar to the fine Spanish nibbles you find on the main menu, priced to fly. Among our favorites: the mejillones y salchichas (roasted mussels and julienned veggies in a spicy, garlicky sauce, $5.50) and the cinnamony carnitas del puerco (a mound of pulled pork served atop salty fried potatoes, $5). On the drink list you'll find a $3.50 glass of house sangria, a $2 PBR draft, and four $5–$6 cocktails. I recommend the smooth, sugar-rimmed Between the Sheets or the minty, fizzy mojito (both $5)—but maybe you'd better sit down first. 1100 Pike St., 206-583-0382, www.bandoleone.net. CAPITOL HILL